Get AI Briefings, Transcripts & Alerts on Local & National Government Meetings — Forever.
Shelter warns of early heat; Hitchcock Road announces spay/neuter clinic March 27
Loading...
Summary
Kendra Brady of Hitchcock Road described heat‑safety steps for pets and said Animal Balance will return March 27 for a free spay/neuter clinic (the shelter previously hosted a 200-animal clinic in January); shelter volunteers and a new nonprofit friends group are supporting operations.
Kendra Brady, speaking for Hitchcock Road shelter, urged pet owners to take precautions during an unseasonably warm week in March and outlined shelter steps to protect animals while describing a return spay/neuter clinic scheduled to begin March 27.
Brady advised owners to ensure animals have shade and fresh water, avoid walking dogs on hot concrete or asphalt, and never leave animals in vehicles. "Never never leaving a dog left in a car," Brady said, noting that an outside temperature in the mid‑80s can produce interior car temperatures exceeding 100 degrees in minutes. The shelter has shifted walks to early morning, limited walking areas, added shade covers and moved indoor meet‑and‑greets to cooler indoor spaces.
Brady said Animal Balance will run a multi‑day clinic starting March 27; in January the clinic performed free spay/neuter, microchipping and initial vaccinations for 200 owned animals. She said demand was high, sign‑ups for the March clinic closed because capacity is limited, and the shelter is coordinating with other county resources — including the SPCA, the snip bus service and South County programs — to provide additional low‑cost options.
The shelter is also relying on volunteers and a newly formed 'friends' nonprofit to help raise funds for future clinics and adoption support, Brady said. She encouraged residents who need services to call the shelter or check its website for phone numbers, appointment details and outreach updates.
